Description

CENSUS employs a revolutionary molecular biological tool (MBT) called quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for enumeration of specific organisms or genes encoding specific biological functions. While used in many fields, qPCR or CENSUS has been most frequently applied to the environmental restoration industry to allow site managers to cost-effectively detect and quantify targeted members of the microbial community deemed critical for bioremediation. At a site impacted by chlorinated solvents like PCE or TCE for example, CENSUS quantification of Dehalococcoides, a key group of dechlorinating bacteria, permits project managers to address the following:

– evaluate the feasibility of monitored natural attenuation (MNA)
– evaluate the efficacy of enhanced bio-remediation approaches
– assess the need for bio-augmentation.

Application of the CENSUS technology, however, is not limited to evaluation of biodegradation of chlorinated solvents. Currently, MI offers over 50 CENSUS assays targeting a broad spectrum of microbial functions that can provide direct evidence of the biological processes occurring at your site.